The Seychelles has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites accessible from the capital Victoria: the Vallée de Mai on Praslin Island, 45 km by ferry from Mahé, and the Aldabra Atoll, the world’s second largest coral atoll and home to 100,000 giant tortoises, 1,150 km southwest. From Cultural Heritage Online.
Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, Praslin 45 km west — 1 hr catamaran ferry from Victoria
The Vallée de Mai on Praslin Island covers approximately 20 hectares at the centre of the island and contains one of only two remaining natural habitats of the coco de mer palm (Lodoicea maldivica) — the other being the small island of Curieuse, also in the Seychelles. The coco de mer produces the largest seed in the plant kingdom: a double-lobed coconut (locally called the love nut) that can weigh up to 25 kg and takes seven years to mature on the palm after pollination. The palms themselves grow to 30 metres height; the mature forest of the Vallée de Mai contains approximately 4,000 coco de mer trees in a dense canopy that excludes most light at the forest floor.
The Vallée de Mai was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. The reserve also protects the Seychelles black parrot (Coracopsis barklyi), endemic to Praslin and found nowhere else in the world; approximately 1,000 individuals remain, making it one of the rarest parrots on Earth. The Seychelles cave gecko, the Seychelles tiger chameleon, and several endemic gecko species also inhabit the reserve. The coco de mer palms are identifiable by sex — male palms produce a catkin inflorescence approximately 1 metre long; female palms bear the nuts — and the community around the pollination biology of the tree has historically generated considerable folklore.
The reserve is accessible by marked walking trails of 1–2 hours; a guide is recommended but not required. Praslin is connected to Mahé by catamaran (one hour) and Air Seychelles flights (15 minutes). The reserve entrance fee contributes to management of the site.
Getting there: Ferry from Victoria (Mahé) to Praslin (1 hour). The Vallée de Mai is accessible from Grand Anse Praslin by road (10 min taxi). Allow: 2–3 hours in the reserve; combine with an overnight stay on Praslin. Best for: Natural heritage and endemic species visitors; families; botanists.
Aldabra Atoll 1,150 km southwest — charter vessel or aircraft; special permit required
Aldabra Atoll was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, one year before the Vallée de Mai. The atoll, 1,150 km southwest of Mahé, is a raised coral platform enclosing a lagoon approximately 35 km by 15 km in area. The total land area is approximately 155 square kilometres; the surrounding reef and lagoon system extends much further. The population of Aldabra giant tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea) is estimated at approximately 100,000 — the largest wild population in the world. The atoll’s extreme remoteness — it has no permanent human settlement and can only be reached by charter vessel or aircraft — has allowed its ecosystems to remain in near-pristine condition.
The Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF), a semi-government body, manages Aldabra and grants access permits. A small research station operates on the atoll. Visitor numbers are capped at a very low level. The reef surrounding Aldabra is one of the least impacted in the Indian Ocean, with high coral cover and abundant fish populations including large grouper, Napoleon wrasse, and regular visits by manta rays and whale sharks.
Getting there: Liveaboard charter from Mahé (approximately 1,000 km by sea, 3–4 days) or charter aircraft. Permits from the Seychelles Islands Foundation required in advance. Allow: 7–10 days minimum. Best for: Serious wildlife and conservation visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites does the Seychelles have?
Two: the Aldabra Atoll (inscribed 1982) and the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve on Praslin Island (inscribed 1983). Both are natural sites inscribed for outstanding universal value in biodiversity. No cultural heritage site in the Seychelles is currently inscribed.
What is the coco de mer and where does it grow naturally?
The coco de mer (Lodoicea maldivica) is a palm species endemic to the Seychelles that produces the largest seed in the plant kingdom — a double-lobed nut weighing up to 25 kg that takes seven years to mature. The palm grows to 30 metres and can live for several centuries. Its natural habitat is limited to two locations: the Vallée de Mai on Praslin Island (the larger and most intact population) and the small island of Curieuse, both in the inner Seychelles.
Is the Seychelles black parrot endangered?
Yes. The Seychelles black parrot (Coracopsis barklyi) is endemic to Praslin Island, where an estimated 1,000 individuals survive primarily in the Vallée de Mai and surrounding palm forest. It is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. The species is dependent on the coco de mer forest for nesting and feeding and cannot survive outside Praslin’s ecosystem. The Vallée de Mai’s UNESCO protection is considered critical for the species’ continued survival.
Do whale sharks visit Aldabra?
Yes. Whale sharks are occasional visitors to the waters around Aldabra Atoll, particularly on the outer reef edges and in the passes. The deep, clear water around the atoll also attracts manta rays, hammerhead sharks, and tiger sharks. The fish populations on the Aldabra reef are considered among the most intact in the Indian Ocean due to the atoll’s extreme remoteness and the strict management of visitor and fishing access.
